New Mini-grip owner

D

Dreamer

Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
114
After month's of doing my "Homework" I narrowed the choice of my new EDC folder down to the Spyerco-Native and the Mini-grip.

Bought the Mini-grip from Cabela's, It's a great little knife and I'm very pleased. The Axis lock, D2 steel and made in the USA, were the deciding factors in my choice. This is the first "Decent" knife I've bought in a long time, It feels good to have quality.
 
You narrowed it down to two good knives, either choice would have been a winner.:thumbup:
 
Even if you go wrong, you can't go wrong with "Made in the USA". BM Griptilian is a great value and, despite the complaints about the "cheap" scales, I see nothing cheap about that knife.
 
It's probably the only knife you'll ever need.

When are you going to buy your next knife?

;)

maximus otter
 
StretchNM said:
Even if you go wrong, you can't go wrong with "Made in the USA". BM Griptilian is a great value and, despite the complaints about the "cheap" scales, I see nothing cheap about that knife.
Click to expand...

Why is this?? I am continually looking for a mini-grip user to buy cheap to try. I go to the store, pick them up, and just can't get past the feel of the scales, and therefore, never pull the trigger. I love the size and blade configuration, but the scales just don't seem to cut it. The price seems right, but I can pick up a FRN Delica and it just feels better.

Will it grow on me?? What was YOUR first impression???
 
I'm not StretchNM, but I do have experience with Grips & mini-Grips as well as a lot of other FRN handled knives. I've never had a problerm with FRN feeling cheap. To me, it feels like a very tough, user-oriented handle material. I've also never had a problem with FRN handles failing but I have had problems with wood & rubber scales coming off, aluminium handles getting scratched or dinged, SS handles being too slick to be any good for my use, and I've heard from others about G-10 chipping under hard impact.

I've had FRN or Zytel handled knives since the early 90s and never a moment's problem. My D4 has hit the concrete warehouse floor several times, sometimes from 10+ feet in the air... no damage, no scar. I regularly switch from a D4 to a mini-Grip for warehouse EDC and both feel very comfortable to me, although each does feel different from the other.
 
Both are great models. I am a knifeaholic, so, after buying a 550 Grip at a farmers market, then got a 551 Grip, then a 556 Grip, then a 151 Grip, then sold all, and got the Ritter Grip, Ritter mini Grip and Ritter Grip fixed blade.

I've had several different Natives, including the 440V model, and I always go back to the Native III. Native is a great knife, I just wish the handle was thicker like the NIII.
 
To me grips do feel cheap (handle/scales), it does have a hollow sound when I tap it with my fingernail, options would be nice, but it feels secure in my hand, it does "Grow" on you!

Many have said it takes a beating, and to me that's what matters. In a few years, I'll know for sure. The price is great, Axis is wonderful, the blade works and sharpens easily, I'm glad I have it ..
 
gkruty said:
Why is this?? I am continually looking for a mini-grip user to buy cheap to try. I go to the store, pick them up, and just can't get past the feel of the scales, and therefore, never pull the trigger. I love the size and blade configuration but the scales just don't seem to cut it. The price seems right, but I can pick up a FRN Delica and it just feels better.

Will it grow on me?? What was YOUR first impression???
Click to expand...

I've got a mini-grip that I rotate in my edc, but the cheap feeling scales do detract from what could be an outstanding knife. Now if BM offered something in micarta like the one below I would be all over that. I would definitely be willing to pay an extra $50 or so for something like that.
(I don't have any idea who pimped out the knife below)

bm5505ct8.jpg
 
One of the first things I noticed about my Mini-grip, were the scales, they felt good and solid in my hand.
I guess it's the full length steel liners making the difference. Liking this knife more everyday.
 
"GRIP-tilian"; the name implies that it has a good grippy handle.
That said they succeeded in both the shape and texture of the handle.
 
The "scales" never have bothered me. I actually like the feel of it. I use it around water all the time and it just seems perfect.
 
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